Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing – July 31, 2025
Welcome to today’s edition of the Airfreight Insider Daily Briefing, where we bring you the latest updates and key trends shaping the global air cargo and aviation sector. Here’s what’s moving the industry on July 31st.
Airlines & Networks: Expansion and Strategic Moves
Qatar Airways continues to capitalize on soaring demand between Doha and Europe by expanding its flight frequency to London Heathrow to an unprecedented 10 daily flights this upcoming winter season, up from 8 currently, setting a new record for one of Europe’s busiest hubs.
SunExpress, the joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines, announces a major network expansion in the UK and Ireland effective summer 2026. Key additions include a thrice-weekly route from East Midlands Airport to Antalya, alongside further new connections to strengthen its footprint in the region.
Meanwhile, Lufthansa is reshuffling leadership at its critical hubs. Effective September 1, Francesco Sciortino will head the Frankfurt hub and join Lufthansa Airlines’ divisional board, also taking on the role of Accountable Manager for their core brand. Sciortino’s move comes after departing Austrian Airlines and marks a significant managerial transition within Lufthansa’s network operations.
On the M&A front, Air France-KLM withdraws from takeover talks with Spain’s Air Europa after failing to reach agreement with the majority owner. However, Lufthansa remains interested, as industry watchers hint at other potential bidders emerging.
Manufacturing & Maintenance: Navigating Supply and Investment Challenges
Airbus faces production bottlenecks due to a backlog of about 60 undelivered engines, the highest since 2018. Despite these delays, Airbus posted strong first-half profits. CEO Guillaume Faury remains optimistic, welcoming the return of zero tariffs that could ease supply chain pressures.
Lufthansa Technik reports an 8% revenue increase to roughly €2 billion in Q2, despite facing higher costs linked to US customs duties. However, the operational result declined, underscoring margin pressures in maintenance operations.
Safran is investing over €450 million into a new carbon brake production facility near Lyon. The politically charged site selection coincides with plans to increase production capacity by 25% through 2037, supporting the company’s growth aspirations in aerospace components.
Rolls-Royce ups its operational profit outlook significantly for 2025, fueled by robust demand and ongoing cost-cutting initiatives. The British engine maker’s shares surged with the announcement, pointing to renewed investor confidence.
Trade & Regulatory Developments Impacting Global Supply Chains
US tariff measures are shaking up Asian exporters, with India facing a new 25% US duty starting August 1, rivaling even the high tariffs imposed on China. The ripple effects could realign supply chain strategies as manufacturers weigh sourcing alternatives across the region.
In South America, the US under President Trump has slapped 50% punitive tariffs on most Brazilian goods – sparing the aerospace sector to some extent, yet exerting broader pressure on trade relations.
In a positive development for tourism and travel flows, Sri Lanka moves to scrap visa fees for visitors from 40 countries, including the DACH region, enhancing accessibility to its popular beach destinations.
Operational Disruptions & Industry Innovations
Technical issues at the UK’s National Air Traffic Services (NATS) continue to cause flight cancellations and delays across airports, notably impacting London Heathrow with at least 16 flights cancelled recently. The disruptions reverberate throughout the industry, drawing frustration from airlines and passengers alike.
Further in transport infrastructure, a defective signal box between Düsseldorf and Duisburg is causing disturbances in both regional and long-distance rail traffic, affecting ICE routes to Berlin, Frankfurt, and connections across northern and southern Germany as well as the Netherlands.
Innovative Solutions in Airfreight & Humanitarian Aviation
M2 Transport showcases cutting-edge precision logistics by airfreighting 800 gilts from Ohio to Hanoi on a dedicated charter, exemplifying specialized live animal transport capabilities.
LOT Polish Airlines is converting at least three aircraft, including an Embraer E195, into mobile hospitals. This initiative aligns with the EU’s strategy to enhance preparedness for natural disasters and public health emergencies, highlighting aviation’s crucial role beyond passenger service.
Finance & Customer Engagement
In the loyalty space, Austrian Airlines partners with Erste Bank and Sparkasse to launch the “Miles & More” credit card service in Austria starting 2026. Mastercard remains the payment provider, promising enhanced benefits for frequent flyers in the Austrian market.
Airport Hospitality Spotlight
Airport hotels in Asia, notably recent openings by Hyatt in Bangkok and Taipei-Taoyuan, are redefining passenger comfort by balancing high service standards with the swift turnover typical of transit stays. One of these hotels is even airline-owned, demonstrating innovative integration between hospitality and aviation sectors.
Stay tuned for our daily YouTube briefing for in-depth analysis on these stories and more. Until tomorrow, keep your cargo moving and your operations agile.
— Your Airfreight Insider Editorial Team